Obscure way to wrap up 1852

I guess this again shows how many residents Coney Island had…and how little respect it got!

HO FOR THE SPOILS !--The Advertiser of yesterday informs the public that the proprietor of the Eagle is a prominent candidate for postmaster of the city, and the editor is going in hard for the City Clerkship. This is but little of our ambition; in addition to these aspirings for the spoils, we intend to grab up all the loves (sic?) and fishes that will fall to the share (?) of Long Island, on the approaching retreat of the Whigs : while Paddy expects to be sent out as Minister to Coney Island, to preside over a constituency of clams and oysters. He is desirous of going out with the full powers of a plenipotentiary and expects that the least deference that can be shown to him by the authorities is to supply him with a complete outfit, consisting of a pair of water tight over alls, a couple of top boots with cork soles, and an oil cloth jacket ; to detail a double bottomed mud scow to transport him to his destination, and to order a salute of fifteen fire crackers and a blue rocket, to honor his arrival. In these elevated aspiratians (sic) he hopes to have the powerful aid of the Advertiser and its editor, notwithstanding his threat to withhold it for the future.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, December 30, 1852

More Train News

Common Council.
[Reported for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.]
Monday, Dec. 13th, 1852….
Petitions &c.
…Pet. of Rafferty & Leask for permission to construct a railroad through Fulton and Court streets and Hamilton and Third avs. to Coney Island : also of Cohen & Winsor and others for the same. Laid on the table to be taken up with the special order.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, December 14, 1852

Gravesend and Coney Island Road and Bridge Company

NOTICE is hereby given that an election will be held for Directors and Inspectors of Election, of the Gravesend and Coney Island Road and Bridge Company, on MONDAY, Nov. 15th, at the house of Ann Jackson, at Gravesend, in Kings county, at the hour of 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

By the Board,
JOHN LEFFERTS, President.
o115tW

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, November 15, 1852

This page says the Gravesend and Coney Island Road and Bridge Company built the Coney Island House. (At any rate, the house dates back to 1829.)

Railroads to Coney Island?

Letter to the editor.

City Rail Roads.

To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle--

SIR--Permit me, at an interval of peace like this, when the great political battle--in which the Eagle bore so conspicuous a part--is now among the things that were, and our Democratic friends are congratulating each other, and extending the hand of goodwill to the enemy, to call your attention to person employed as agents who are busily engaged throughout our city, plying the unwary and uninterested, by every argument that they can make use of, to sign petitions to our Common Council for, what they say, will be a public benefit. Judge, sir, of the fact, when those modest gentlemen only want the privilege of laying railroad tracks through Fulton st., commencing at the Fulton Ferry and going up thence to Court, through Court to Hamilton avenue and thence to Coney Island. One, sir, can scarcely help smiling at the extreme lengths the foul spirit of Avarice has prompted those wily and intriguing speculators to go in concocting a scheme, which, if they could by any means carry into effect, would at once raise the value, 500 per cent, of their property on the hills of Gowanus, which are now becoming rapidly improved without the aid of railroads, which would ultimately destroy this beautiful city...

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, November 11, 1852

I've heard the same arguments about light rail where I am. Though after standing near a real, functioning train at the Greenfield Village and breathing in all that soot…I can definitely see the author's point of view.

I have no idea if this particular railroad went through, but like it or not, rail was coming.

Another Death at Coney Island

INQUEST AT CONEY ISLAND.--Coroner Donly, of Gravesend, held an inquest yesterday afternoon on the body of a man found floating in the water, near the wharf, at Coney Island Point. Deceased was apparently about 30 years old, dark brown hair, and was dressed in check shirt, blue over-alls, cotton socks, and coarse shoes. It is supposed the body has been in the water only a few days. There were no papers or other articles found in his possession by which he could be identified. Verdict, death from some cause or causes to the jury unknown.--The remains were conveyed to Flatbush for interment. Further particulars may be had by applying to the Coroner, at his store in the village of Gravesend, L. I.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, November 10, 1852

Gil Davis v. Gen. Scott

The Fun of the Election.

SITE FOR THAT HOSPITAL.--It has been suggested by Gil Davis, that Gen. Scott can find an elegant site for a Military Hospital on Coney Island, where he can find there plenty of soup, which he can take at his leisure.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, November 5, 1852

The article goes on to note that Frank Pierce, "The 'obscure,' 'insignificant,' 'blue-nose New Hampshire Yankee,' is now, by the potent voice of the people, President elect of the United States."

If you can believe it, General Scott went on to serve in the Civil War, at the age of 75!

Crusade against Coney Island

Well, really, this is more about politics.

STUMP CANDIDATES--COLONEL JACK ON THE RUN.--The number of stump candidates now before the people are numerous enough we should think, but if they continue to multiply as they have done we don't see how the matter can be regulated unless by every man getting out his own ticket and voting for himself…Of all who have taken the stump, however, none appears to be making such tremendous headway as Colonel Jack. He has got his yards squared and all sail set, and cuts through the political waters like one of the Collins steam ships…

When elected, he shall cause to be passed a bill for the construction of a Canal from the Wallabout to Gowanus, and another for the erection of Long Island into a separate and independent state and the immediate annexation of Coney Island. He shall vote for a port of entry at every seaboard town on our ample coasts…

Mr. Powell will be a dangerous rival, and the Col. must stretch himself to get ahead. If the former candidate succeeds in his designs of a filibustering crusade against the authorities of Coney Island, it will strengthen his chances amazingly, and if he can erect ports of entry at Red Hook Point, Fort Hamilton and Sheeps Head Bay, his popularity will carry him into the halls of Congress in spite of the wind and weather.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, October 5, 1852

I'm not sure who these people are, but at any rate, I believe Coney Island didn't become part of Brooklyn until the 1890s.